We recently connected with Henry Mahome and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Henry thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

I wish I had started the brand earlier, I started in or around 2016 with the foundation of the brand and it has evolved to what it is today. I was in College and and wanted a way to do art work, community service and have a company that is an overall artistic expression that was unique but I was not ready, as I was entering post graduate school, I realized there were still things that needed to be learned that if I had learned them sooner I would be at a more productive level. Given the opportunity, I would have taken classes specifically designed for my business that would have maybe given me more structure in the beginning.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Henry Mahome I also go by Yosneaks or Sneaks, and I am an artist, Streetwear brand owner, and content creator. I have a clothing line geared towards streetwear and storytelling but it also doubles as a digital design studio where I do graphic design, photography, video work and more for customers and clients. I am more proud about the fact I can be a one stop shop for design, merchandising for artists, and getting expressions out. I have been building this brand around attention to detail and quality and want to be able to get my ideas and vision to the eyes of the world. Storytelling has been the ethos of the brand and being able to share my story, share other’s story, and create new ones, are all apart of the journey.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As a lot of people did, I had to pivot during 2020, the world was changing, everything was closing and it was becoming more difficult to get in front of people the way I had been accustomed to. In 2020 while running the nonprofit leg of my company, I realized in order to fundraise and continue the momentum I would have to engage differently. I created Lifestyle® as the dedicated streetwear leg of Yosneaks with the idea that I could be more free with my designs while staying on brand. It became a new voice for the company in the regard that I was now really able to tell stories through product while also servicing the community I was in. It made me more ecommerce focused which also made me understand my audience and their needs. From there, it was like a trickle down effect and I began to introduce my clients needing products and services to the same things. 2020 was a pivitol growth year for my brand almost like a fresh restart.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect, is seeing my product or design on strangers. Although I post myself, I don’t do so often, so for people to buy my products and wear it proudly without knowing who I am is an amazing feeling. Second best is some one recognizing me for my products, both are truely dope and rewarding I think for any creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ihyslifestyle.com
• Instagram: @yosneaks
• Facebook: facebook.com/yosneaks
• Twitter: @yosneaks
• Youtube: Yosneakpeeks

Image Credits
@shorbyheba